Whether it’s another pandemic, dangerous weather, or some other disruption to everyday life, Costco and Sam’s Club have a lot to offer anyone who’s preparing for an emergency. From toiletries and food to more specialized supplies such as generators, here are some safe-not-sorry buys to consider. Can you think of more? Tell us in the comments.
Prices and availability are subject to change. Some items sold out online may be available in store or vice versa. Prices also may be lower in store.
Lepro LED Collapsible Camping Lantern
$19.99 from Costco
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Compact, lightweight, and incredibly easy to use, this lantern is built with portability and safety in mind. With a simple push, it collapses down for effortless carrying—perfect for camping trips, weekend hikes, fishing outings, or any adventure where you want reliable light on hand. The smart collapsible design also makes packing and storing it a breeze.
Kirkland Signature AA Batteries
$15.99 from Costco
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Chances are your old flashlight and radio run on ’em, so why pay more buying small packs at the supermarket when you can get 48 batteries for about 40 cents each?
First Aid Kit
$25.42 from Sam’s Club
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You can make your own first-aid kit, but paying for the pros to do it is a lot more convenient. This 351-piece case includes products from hand sanitizer gels and exam gloves to ointments, bandages, finger splints, scissors, and tweezers. It has some basic medications too, and first-aid guides to consult.
Firman Generator With Remote Start
$599 from Costco
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The threat of stormy weather and extended power outages can feel a bit less daunting when you have an emergency power source on hand. This Firman generator runs on gas and comes with a battery for backup. The 5-gallon tank provides 14 hours of power at a 50% load. It can be started from up to 168 feet away by simply pushing a button on the remote.
Michelin Portable Jump Starter
$68 from Costco
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In this smartphone-dependent age, most of us have an external battery lying around, but can yours jump-start a car? This high-capacity battery comes with jumper cables that can do just that, plus it has a built-in flashlight and two USB ports for charging laptops, tablets, phones, and other devices.
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StarKist Chunk Light Tuna
$11 from Sam’s Club
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Tuna will always be a popular pick for emergency prep: It’s cheap, it lasts, and it’s an easy way to add protein to pasta, salad, a sandwich, a pita — whatever you can dream up, really.
Quaker Instant Oatmeal Variety Pack
$11 from Sam’s Club
Instant oatmeal can be a winner even with the queasiest tummies, and it’s usually good for a year or longer. It’s also cheap and filling, making this 52-count variety pack a great choice for your just-in-case stash.
Kar’s Sweet and Salty Mix
$16.28 from Sam’s Club
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Trail mix might just be the perfect food for emergencies: It’s shelf-stable, packs in plenty of protein and carbs, and mixes sweet and salty in a way that makes it way more appealing than digging into yet another canned good.
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Kirkland Signature Protein Bars
$26.49 from Costco
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Nonperishable foods are a must for plenty of potential emergencies. Protein bars such as this highly regarded Costco brand have a long shelf life and deliver a lot of energy despite their small size.
Augason Farms Deluxe 30-Day Emergency Food Supply
$100 from Costco
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It will cost you, but anyone who wants a no-muss, no-fuss supply of emergency food that can last for up to 25 years (not a typo!) can stock up on these kits. Each just-add-water, ready-to-eat kit has five kinds of food and feeds one person for three days.
Member’s Mark Exceed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
$42.99 at Sam’s Club
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Don’t forget about Fido in a crisis. Warehouse clubs are one of the best places to stock up on pet food on the cheap, and reviewers love this formula made with wild-caught salmon as the first ingredient. (Got a cat? Remember the litter, too.)
Linksys Wi-Fi System
$339 from Costco
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Telecommuting and online education will be a whole lot harder if your Wi-Fi isn’t up to snuff. This easy-to-set-up system provides coverage up to 3,000 feet per plug-in, no matter how device-happy your household.
Kirkland Signature Ibuprofen
$13.99 from Costco
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These two 500-caplet bottles will last and last, even for bigger families. Of course, also consider cold medicine, antacids, and other common over-the-counter needs.
Palmolive Dish Detergent
$8.99 from Sam’s Club
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When crowds clear the aisles of hand soap, it’s time to get a little creative. Dish soap is often gentler on sensitive skin — a nice bonus when you’re ramping up the hygiene.
Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Laundry Detergent
$17.99 from Costco
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This 194-ounce jug of detergent that’s free of irritating dyes and perfumes can power through a whopping 146 loads of laundry. (That’s close to five loads a day for a month, if anyone’s counting.)
Member’s Mark Premium Diapers
$16 and up from Sam’s Club
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No one needs to sell parents of small children on why keeping an emergency stash of diapers is a good idea. Sam’s diapers are as cheap as 15 cents each, less than half the price of Pampers Swaddlers. Oh, and don’t forget the wipes and, if needed, formula.
Pantene Advanced Care Shampoo
$12.99 from Costco
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Pantene is your best bet for stocking up on shampoo at Costco. This 38-ounce bottle (and its conditioner counterpart) should last several weeks and then some, especially if you use only what you really need.
Oral-B Toothbrushes
$17 from Costco
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It’s best to replace toothbrushes after you’ve been ill, experts say, especially if you have underlying health issues. With this pack of eight, you’ll have a ready supply.
Opti-Free Puremoist Disinfecting Solution
$16.99 from Sam’s Club
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Contact wearers, don’t forget to keep solution at the ready. This kit with two 14-ounce bottles includes two replacement cases (change them no less than every three months, experts recommend, and always rinse them with solution after removing your lenses).
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